An international military investment deal has secured 60 jobs in Comet country.

The Stevenage base of missile developer MBDA is to benefit from a £500 million investment by the UK and French governments.

The jointly-funded contract directly secures 60 highly skilled engineering jobs at the company’s Six Hills Way site, as well as funding further indirect employment across the supply chain.

The investment will sustain around 200 highly skilled UK jobs overall as work will also take place at MBDA sites in Lostock, near Manchester, and Bristol. The contract will also protect a further 200 jobs in France.

The Ministry of Defence will contribute £280 million towards the development of the future anti-surface guided weapons (FASGW) in what is the first new collaborative project since last month’s Anglo-French summit, held at RAF Brize Norton.

Keith Garden, MBDA UK’s deputy managing director, said: “Securing the FASGW contract is a noteworthy achievement in terms of joint working on complex weapons for the UK and France. This £500 million contract secures highly-skilled jobs based in Stevenage and we are delighted that our unique and exceptional employees and capabilities are being sustained for the future.

“This missile will be the replacement for the Sea Skua missile that was designed by our predecessor company and is in service with the Royal Navy. This highlights the continuity between the past and present and between the Royal Navy and us.”